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Part of Start a new job: step by step

Find your National Insurance number

You will usually already have a National Insurance number if you’ve lived or worked in the UK, even if you do not know it.

You’ll normally get a letter with your National Insurance number shortly before your 16th birthday if you live in the UK. It’s sent to the address HMRC has for you.

If you moved to the UK from abroad, you may already have a National Insurance number if you’ve worked or claimed benefits here. If not, you may need to apply for one.

A National Insurance number is made up of 2 letters, 6 numbers and a final letter, for example, QQ123456B.

This page is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Where to check first

You may find your National Insurance number on something you already have, such as:

  • a payslip
  • a P60
  • letters about tax, pensions or benefits

You can also find your National Insurance number:

You can use the HMRC app or your personal tax account to download a letter showing your National Insurance number.

HMRC cannot give you your National Insurance number over the phone or on webchat.

Check how to find your National Insurance number

Use this tool to find out where to look for your National Insurance number or how to ask for it. You’ll be asked a few questions about your situation to show you the best way to find your National Insurance number.

This tool will time out if you stop using it for 15 minutes or more. Your answers will not be saved.

This page is Part of Start a new job: step by step

  1. Step 1 Get your National Insurance number

    You'll usually need your National Insurance number when you start your new job.

    1. You are currently viewing: Find your National Insurance number
    1. Apply for a National Insurance number if you do not already have one

  2. Step 2 Accept the job offer

    The offer might be ‘conditional’ or ‘provisional’, which means you may need to give further details to your new employer or pass pre-employment checks.

    1. Find out about your rights when accepting a job offer

  3. Step 3 Share your details for any employer checks

    Give your new employer what they need to complete any pre-employment checks.

    1. Find out what checks your employer can make
    1. Find out how to prove your right to work
    1. Find out about criminal record checks

  4. Step 4 Review your employment contract

    Your new employer should give you an employment contract. Check the terms before you agree to it.

    1. Find out about employment contracts

  5. and If you're leaving a job, hand in your notice

    Tell your current employer that you’re going to leave and when your last day will be. This is known as handing in your notice.

    1. Find out how to hand in your notice

    When you hand in your notice, ask your employer when you’ll get your P45.

    1. Find out about the P45

  6. Step 5 Prepare your personal information for your first day

    To get paid, you’ll need to give your new employer:

  7. Step 6 Give your P45 to your new employer

    Your new employer will use your P45 to work out how much tax to take from your pay.

    1. Find out about the P45

  8. or If you do not have a P45, fill in the starter checklist

    Use the starter checklist to give your employer details they need to work out your pay and tax.

    1. Fill in the starter checklist

  9. Step 7 Check your first payslip

    Your employer must give you a payslip on or before payday.

    1. Find out what should be on your payslip

    It’s your responsibility to make sure you’re paying the right amount of tax.

    1. Check if the tax on your payslip is correct

    If you think the tax is wrong, your tax code may be incorrect.

    1. Find out what to do if you think your tax code is wrong